KEENE, N.H. 3/24/12  - Senior Sammi Benson's (Hampstead, N.H.) free position goal with 36 seconds to play lifted the Keene State College women's lacrosse team to a 15-14 non-conference victory over Westfield State University in the teams' home opener at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.

            Keene State improves to 3-2 while Westfield State falls to 1-3.

 "I'd rather pass than take the shot, but they called a false start," said Benson, who finished the game with three goals and three assists.  "When they knew what I was doing, I decided to shoot.  I just went low with the hope it would go in."

            Senior Caitlyn Corace (Mahopac, N.Y.) and junior Lauren Brown (Agawam, Mass.) also found the back of the net three times for the KSC Owls.

            Keene State jumped out to an early 7-2 lead on a goal by Corace at the 12:34 mark of the first half. After Amanda Bouchard (Lexington, Mass.) pulled WSU within three goals (9-6) on a free position goal, Brown stole the ball and scored with 30 seconds to play in the half, giving Keene State a 10-6 halftime lead. 

            Consecutive goals by freshman Bridget Everett (Lexington, Mass.) and senior Carly Keeley (Feeding Hills, Mass.) made it a one goal game (13-12) with 8:35 to go. 

            Benson found sophomore Eliza Witherbee (Newburyport, Mass.) in front for the goal to put the KSC Owls up 14-12.  Senior Nicole DiPilato (Shrewsbury, Mass.), who finished the game with five goals, scored consecutive goals for Westfield to tie the score at 14-all with 4:41 to play.

            Keene State sophomore goalie Erin Taylor (Brewster, N.Y.) who stopped several free position shots by Westfield, made a key save on a shot by junior Maura Stack (Wilbraham, Mass.) to keep the scored tied.  "I just get tunnel vision when the ball comes at me and I try to stop it," said Taylor, who finished the game with 14 saves.

            The Owls go the ball back on a Westfield turnover, setting the stage for the game-winning by Benson, who now has 10 goals this season.  Following the go-ahead goal, KSC got control of the ball and held on for the victory.

            "We didn't play our strongest game, but we got the win," said Benson.  We have a lot to work on."

            Freshman Polly Grey (Saratoga, N.Y.) and Witherbee each finished with two goals for the Keene State Owls while sophomore Julie Trombetta (Trumbull, Conn.) and junior Nicole Curry (Hampstead, N.H.) also scored goals.

            Bouchard scored four goals and Keeley finished with three goals for Westfield.

            Freshman Hannah Joyce (Acton, Mass.) made nine saves for the Westfield Owls.

            Keene State is at Franklin Pierce University on Thursday (4 p.m.).